The trouble with Marlene

the long version

Sixteen-year-old Samantha is miserable. They used to be a family--Sammie, her father, and her mother, Marlene. Back then they were hustlers, living off the misery of others, but now Marlene is alone and completely off the rails, spending her days drinking red wine and dreaming up the perfect suicide. Now one at school has any idea what Sammie's world is like. No one but Drew, and she's not sure she wants to let him in. Sitting on the edge of Marlene's bed, she wonders if Marlene might be right after all.